Fully Loaded Chicago Dog – Dragged Through the Garden
Make the ultimate Chicago-style hot dog at home—“drag it through the garden” with 7 toppings for an authentic Windy City street food experience.
What’s a Chicago Dog?
A Chicago dog is a hot dog that’s “dragged through the garden”—in other words, it’s a fully loaded meal in a bun! Start with a Vienna all-beef frank, tuck it into a steamed poppy-seed bun, and pile it high with seven classic toppings.
The essential toppings for a traditional Chicago dog always include:
Yellow mustard – tangy and sharp
Chopped white onions – for crunch and bite
Neon green relish – sweet, bright, and a little shocking in color
Dill pickle spear – crisp and briny
Fresh sliced tomato – juicy and fresh
Sport peppers – small pickled peppers for heat
Celery salt – the final touch that ties it all together
No ketchup allowed. In Chicago, ketchup on a hot dog is practically a crime. Locals argue it drowns out the flavors with too much sweetness, and many vendors don’t even stock it.
My version puts a twist on tradition. When I make a Chicago dog at home, I take a few liberties while still keeping the spirit alive:
Grilled “char dog” style – a char dog just means a hot dog that’s grilled instead of boiled or steamed. It’s my favorite method for that smoky flavor and crispy charred edges.
Sesame seed bun – poppy seed buns can be tough to find, so I went with sesame for a similar texture.
Extra chopped pickles – in addition to sweet pickle relish, I add chopped bread & butter pickles for extra crunch with a sweet–tangy bite.
Pepperoncini pepper mix – instead of sport peppers (also not easy to find outside Chicago), I mix chopped pepperoncini and hot banana peppers right into the relish so the spicy kick spreads evenly through every bite.
It’s not 100% traditional, but it still delivers a harmony of flavors and textures in every bite, just like a true Chicago dog should. And the best part? You can actually find these ingredients almost anywhere.
Now, I’ll walk you through this Chicago dog recipe step-by-step, so you can bring a taste of the Windy City home.
Let’s fire up the grill!
What You’ll Need for This Chicago Dog Recipe
Chicago Dog Ingredients
2 all-beef frankfurters
2 sesame seed hot dog buns
1 tablespoon sweet pickle relish
2 tablespoons bread & butter pickles, chopped
2 tablespoons hot banana peppers, chopped
4 pepperoncini peppers, stems removed and chopped
1 plum tomato, sliced
1 large dill pickle, sliced into 4 spears
½ white onion, finely diced
yellow mustard, to taste
celery salt, to taste
Equipment for Making Homemade Chicago Char Dogs
Barbecue grill
Knife and cutting board
Mixing bowl and spoon
Makes: 2 hot dogs
Prep: 10 min Cook: 5 minutes
How to Make a Chicago Dog (My Version)
Step 1: Make the hot pepper relish
Combine the chopped bread & butter pickles, pepperoncini, and hot banana peppers with the sweet pickle relish in a small bowl. Stir well.
Step 2: Prep and gather the Chicago dog toppings
Chop the white onion, slice the plum tomato, and cut the dill pickle into spears. Set out your yellow mustard, celery salt, and the hot pepper relish so everything is ready to assemble.
Step 3: Grill the hot dogs “char dog” style
Grill the hot dogs over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until they’re evenly charred all around. Toss the buns on the grill for a few seconds to warm them through and get a little toasty.
Step 4: Assemble the Chicago dogs and enjoy
Top each hot dog with a few tablespoons of the hot pepper relish, chopped onion, sliced tomato, two dill pickle spears, a drizzle of mustard, and a dash of celery salt. Serve immediately and enjoy!
What to Serve with Chicago-Style Hot Dogs
Classic hot dog sides: You can’t go wrong with baked beans, French fries, potato chips, or an extra dill pickle spear on the side.
Easy picnic favorites: Round out your plate with creamy coleslaw, classic potato salad, or zesty marinated green beans.
Campfire-friendly pairings: Fire up some grilled corn on the cob or crispy potato wedges. Or keep it simple and fresh with this make-ahead camping power salad.
Game day crowd-pleasers: Build a full spread with chunky beef chili, BBQ pork ribs, maple buffalo sauce wings, homemade guacamole, or cheesy microwave nachos—perfect for tailgates or watch parties.
Chicago Dog FAQs
What are the 7 toppings on a Chicago hot dog?
The 7 toppings on a Chicago hot dog are: yellow mustard, chopped white onion, neon green relish, a dill pickle spear, fresh sliced tomatoes, sport peppers, and a dash of celery salt.
How was the Chicago dog invented?
The Chicago-style hot dog was born during the Great Depression, when a nickel could get you a hot dog loaded with enough toppings to feel like a full, nutritious meal.
Once known as a “depression sandwich,” it was a staple for working-class folks. While there were plenty of variations back then of hot dogs being “dragged through the garden,” the seven classic toppings mentioned above quickly became the favorite among Chicagoans.
What does "dragged through the garden" mean?
“Dragged through the garden” is classic diner slang for loading something—like a hot dog or burger—with all the fresh veggie toppings. While the phrase didn’t start in Chicago, it stuck around thanks to the fully loaded Chicago-style hot dog.
Why is ketchup not allowed on a Chicago hot dog?
Ketchup is not allowed on Chicago hot dogs because many believe it’s too sweet and overpowers the balanced flavors of the other toppings. In Chicago, mustard is the only acceptable condiment (I agree!)—and don’t even think about asking for ketchup 😉
What are sport peppers?
Sport peppers are small, pickled green chili peppers with a medium heat. They’re a classic topping on Chicago hot dogs and add just the right amount of kick.
What is a good substitute for sport peppers on a Chicago dog?
A good substitute for sport peppers on a Chicago dog is pepperoncini, hot banana peppers, or pickled jalapeños. All add a similar spicy-tangy flavor and are easier to find outside of Chicago.
What is celery salt?
Celery salt is a seasoning made from ground celery seed and salt. It adds a savory, slightly herbal note to authentic Chicago dogs. To make your own, just mix 2 parts salt with 1 part ground celery seed.
Why is Chicago dog relish so green?
Chicago-style relish is so green because of added food coloring—used for tradition, visual pop, and that unmistakable Chicago look. The flavor, though, is just like regular sweet pickle relish.
What’s a Chicago char dog?
A Chicago char dog is a grilled version of the traditional Chicago hot dog. Instead of being steamed or boiled, the hot dog is grilled over charcoal for a smoky flavor and crispy skin.
Can I use regular buns instead of poppy seed or sesame?
Yes, you can use regular hot dog buns for Chicago dogs. If you want to make your own poppy-seed buns, just brush plain buns with egg wash, sprinkle with poppy seeds, and toast them in the oven or on the grill.
What’s the difference between a Chicago dog, a New York dog, and a Detroit Coney dog?
The difference between these iconic hot dogs lies in the toppings and how they’re served:
Chicago Dog: Topped with mustard, chopped onions, neon green relish, fresh sliced tomato, a dill pickle spear, sport peppers, and celery salt—served in a steamed or toasted poppy seed bun.
New York Dog: Usually features spicy brown mustard and sauerkraut or onion sauce (a ketchup-based onion relish)—served in a soft, plain bun.
Detroit Coney Dog: A grilled beef frank smothered in meaty chili, yellow mustard, and raw chopped onions—served in a steamed bun.
That’s it—enjoy your Chicago-style char dog!
On a recent trip to Chicago, I got to taste the real deal. At Wrigley Field—one of the last original ballparks still standing—I was thrilled to see all seven toppings lined up at the condiment station. Eating that Chicago dog in the stands, surrounded by the buzz of the crowd, felt like stepping into a living tradition.
We also stopped at Devil Dawgs (pictured above), and it did not disappoint. That neon green relish peeking out behind the sport peppers was as authentic as it gets. We loved it so much, we went back the next day.
Now you can bring that same flavor home. Whether you're grilling for friends or just catching the game at home, this Chicago dog recipe delivers serious flavor with a hint of old-school charm—no plane ticket required!
Pin This Chicago Dog Recipe for Later!
Did you try this Chicago hot dog recipe?
I’d love to hear how it went—or how you made it your own. Please leave a comment below or tag me on Instagram @onecreativecook if you share your creation!
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